Neverwinter Forest darkness is not always foe

Kaskara hadn't felt cold like this in years, perhaps even her whole life. The wind skittered through the trees, cutting into skin like a knife, stealing the air from her lungs. Kas had holed up in her den with her children, allowing them only enough time outside to relieve themselves before tucking them back in, her back to the den's entrance to block most of the wind's wrath.

Whatever they had done, she hoped the gods would forgive them soon. 

It had been two days in the den so far, and her small ration of food had disappeared into the bellies of her children. Her own stomach rumbled it's displeasure, and so she commanded her children to stay inside, and set out to find something for herself, and if she was lucky, enough for them, too. 

The world was coated in ice. Each branch and evergreen leaf glittered in the early morning sun, sending light - but no warmth - across the small clearing of their den. For once the wind had settled, but she knew it would kick back up soon. So she forced herself away from the raw beauty of the ice crystals and sought any sign of wildlife, her nose pressing itself against the frost and snow as she went.

WINDWITCH by Susan Dennard